How to Enforce Portrait View in Zoom on Windows PCs: Group Policy and Registry Guide

As a Windows systems administrator with years of experience managing enterprise video conferencing setups, I've helped countless teams standardize Zoom settings for consistent meeting experiences. Here's how to force users into portrait view using proven Group Policy or Registry methods.

To enforce portrait view via Group Policy:

1. Press Win + R to open the Run prompt.
2. Type gpedit.msc and press Enter.
3. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Classic Administrative Templates > Zoom Meetings > General Zoom Settings.
4. Double-click Set to use portrait view.
5. Select Enabled.
6. Click OK.

This locks users into portrait mode. To allow switching, set it to Disabled.

Enforcing Portrait View via Registry Editor

For finer control or non-Pro editions, use the Registry:

1. Press Win + R, type regedit, press Enter, and click Yes.
2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies.
3. Right-click Policies > New > Key, name it Zoom.
4. Right-click Zoom > New > Key, name it Zoom Meetings.
5. Right-click Zoom Meetings > New > Key, name it General.
6. Right-click General > New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
7. Name it DefaultUsePortraitView.
8. Double-click it, set value data to 1, and click OK.
9. Restart your PC.

To re-enable switching, set the value to 0 or delete the DWORD. Restart applies changes reliably.

Can You Force Gallery View in Zoom?

Gallery view requires more than two participants; otherwise, it's unavailable. Click the gallery button in the top-right corner during a call to toggle views when eligible.

How to Switch Zoom to Portrait Mode?

Use Zoom's built-in options for personal use. To enforce it organization-wide, follow the Group Policy or Registry steps above—select Enabled or set DWORD to 1.

These methods ensure compliance across your Windows fleet. Questions? Test in a pilot group first.